'War Horse'

A factor in this year's Oscar race, director Steven Spielberg's take on a popular novel and stage play intertwines the experiences of a young man (Jeremy Irvine) and the horse he has trained when they take different paths during World War I.

The stunning cinematography by frequent Spielberg collaborator Janusz Kaminski and the music score by another, John Williams, are major elements of the film's emotional wallop. Emily Watson, Peter Mullan, David Thewlis and Benedict Cumberbatch ("Sherlock") also are in the cast. DVD extra: "making-of" documentary. *** (PG-13: V) (Also on Blu-ray)